This is a question that most of you will probably face. Although new items are nicer, they are also much more expensive than used ones. So, what should you choose? It depends on personal preferences, but it is worth knowing both options and their pros and cons.
Used items can be attractive for various reasons, but by far the biggest advantage is the price, because simply wearing shoes reduces their value by 15-20%, so it can be a great opportunity to snag a steal and get something cool for next to nothing. However, there is also a risk, because there is no rule as to what might break or wear out, for example: we might encounter invisible cracking that completely ruins the print after two washes. Another problem with shoes that are several or even over a decade old can be crumbling, where the rubber, after spending a long time in the box, may start to crumble and crack after just a few steps. However, there is a simple way to prevent this if we want our favorite pair for super special occasions to last us for years. It is enough to walk around the house once a month so that the rubber gets a little exercise, and this should prevent the sole from crumbling or cracking for a long time. When buying shoes, you should pay attention to so-called heel drag, which is significant wear on the sole, especially around the heel. This not only takes away from their visual appeal but also affects walking comfort. However, if we have photos before purchasing, the degree of sole wear can tell us a lot about the actual condition if we have suspicions about hidden restorations or if the photo is of poor quality. Another aspect is that we need to wash used items thoroughly because you never know if the previous owner left us any surprises. A dry cleaner is a good and safe solution if we are worried about hygiene. Whenever we receive a used item, it is always a good habit to check it thoroughly for defects such as holes, stains, discoloration, stitching marks, and cracking on prints, and to avoid problems with returns or refunds, it is always worth recording an unboxing video to have grounds in case of a callout, because without a recording, it is just one person's word against another's.
New items objectively have a lot of pros, and subjectively even more. One of the biggest is the certainty about their condition and appearance, because if there are any problems, we can always return or exchange the item. Another aspect is the length of use, because new shoes will last us significantly longer than worn ones, and elements prone to cracking or scuffing can be kept in good condition for a long time if we take proper care of them.
About the author
Author: Team Sneakers Depot
We are a team from Poznań that built Sneakers Depot out of a passion for sneakers, clothes, and streetwear culture. We have been working in the sneaker world for 12 years. On a daily basis, we import limited and hard-to-find models, select pairs for the Reused section, and advise customers in our store at 13 Długa Street. On the blog, we share the knowledge we gain from every pair that passes through our hands.
- Kacper (@wojciech.kacper) – imports new and used pairs and fulfills special orders.
- Bartek (@bartek.48) – the face of our TikTok, he runs the Sneakers Depot Reused section, customer service, and social media.
- Michał (@nazywaszsie) – handles shoe restoration and customer service in the store.
We focus on authenticity, quality, and an individual approach to every customer – every product in our store undergoes an authenticity check. Do you have a question about the article? Write to us or get to know us better.